TY  - BOOK
AU  - 
AU  - 
AU  - 
TI  - Exploring the Social-Cultural Practices Associated With Maternal Mortality in Rural Communities: A Case of Sengerema District, in Northwestern Tanzania  
U1  - 614 
PY  - 2023///
CY  - Mwanza, Tanzania: 
PB  - Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando]
KW  -  
N2  - Abstract:

Background: Maternal mortality rates (MMR) in Tanzania have remained persistently high over the last decade at around 556 per 100,000 live births. Maternal deaths are associated with both direct and indirect causes due to three delays. Studies have shown that social cultural factors such as poor social economic status, limited knowledge about maternal care, male domination, preference of traditional birth attendants and financial constraints contribute to the delay in health seeking behaviors among women. However, context data about the social and cultural practices remain limited that are associated with occurrence of maternal mortality in our settings. Hence, this study explored the social and cultural factors that are most likely associated with the maternal mortality in Sengerema district.

Methods: This study used the historical study design which focused on the social and cultural barriers that are associated with maternal mortality. It involved 53 community health workers (CHW) who were recruited from the selected health care facilities and 9 close family members of the deceased mothers who were traced and recruited via maternal death which occurred in the past six months. We conducted seven focus group discussions (FDG) among CHW and nine key informant interviews (KII) among the close relative of the decease’s mothers. Audio files from FGD and KII were transcribed to verbatim and later translated into English language and thematic content analysis employed following all the required steps.

Results and discussion: Maternal mortality in rural communities is contributed by social and cultural factors that are commonly practiced in study areas. The emerged social and cultural practices in this study fall under delay 1 and delay 2. Themes under delay 1 includes the use of local herbs, misconception about hospital medication and services, patriarchy system in decision making, the use of traditional birth attendants, misconception about pregnancy in rural communities and delay going to the clinic during pregnancy and delivery. Themes under delay 2 includes poor transport and communication and there was early marriage which didn’t fall in any of the delays.

Conclusion: The results reveal several prominent themes that shed light on the challenges faced by pregnant women and their families in accessing timely and appropriate medical assistance.

Recommendations: While our study sheds light on the complex interplay between social and cultural factors and maternal mortality. We recommend designing of interventions that respect cultural practices while promoting safer health care practices as well as collaborating with community to adapt health care services to local context.

Keywords: maternal mortality, social cultural factors, rural areas

ER  -